Thursday, September 17, 2026

For the Most Part, I Won't Be Modifying the Eliminator Myself ...

... but this was an easy, five-minute exception.

BEFORE*:


AFTER:



It's from Wolf Line via Amazon (not an affiliate link). It's a Kawasaki Intruder specific, rather than "universal," rack, rated for up to 45 pounds.

At some point I'll put my large top box on it, probably semi-permanently, but I probably need to run to the hardware store and pick up some large washers first. I have a ride planned for tomorrow and will likely just bungee a backpack with my rain gear, etc. onto it.

UPDATE -- AFTERER:



Instead of waiting to get to a hardware store after figuring out how many and what sizes of u-bolts, washers, etc., I'd need, I decided to just use about 3 million zip ties to attach the top box ... for now. The sheer quantity, and the ability to fasten it from so many different angles, is probably about as good as four or five steel bolts on a rack like this. I may very well go from a top box to a top bag (in concert with my saddlebags) on a permanent basis anyway, and I had the zip ties lying around, so ...


* The "before" photo is not of my actual bike -- I forgot to take one and grabbed an image off the web to show the bike in stock condition. The "after" photo is the real Lena Mae.

Wordle 1916 Hint

Hint: Today's Wordle isn't an English word, it's just a Greek letter. Oh well, I guess the difference is just a matter of degrees.

Not Enough? Get the first letter of today's Wordle below.

New to Wordle? You can play it at the New York Times, and here are some thoughts on how I go about solving each day's puzzle.






First Letter: T

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

NFL Week 2 Picks

Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season commences tomorrow night at the brand new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, where the Buffalo Bills will host the Detroit Lions. Here are my picks (also visible at the "ESPN Pick'em" game site; I've created a "leaderboard" for anyone who wants to match their skills vs. mine).

  • Detroit Lions beat Buffalo Bills*
  • Carolina Panthers beat Atlanta Falcons
  • Minnesota Vikings beat Chicago Bears*
  • Philadelphia Eagles beat Tennessee Titans
  • New England Patriots beat Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Green Bay Packers beat New York Jets
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Cleveland Browns
  • Baltimore Ravens beat New Orleans Saints
  • Houston Texans beat Cincinnati Bengals
  • Jacksonville Jaguars beat Denver Broncos*
  • Las Vegas Raiders beat Los Angeles Chargers*
  • Dallas Cowboys beat Washington Commanders
  • Seattle Seahawks beat Arizona Cardinals
  • San Francisco 49ers beat Miami Dolphins
  • Kansas City Chiefs beat Indianapolis Colts
  • Los Angeles Rams beat New York Giants
"Upset" predictions -- predictions on which I disagree with the majority of ESPN Pick'em players -- are marked with asterisks. Any changes I make to my picks will be done prior to kickoff and noted below as well.